Columbia Union Visitor

A friend recently told me that God doesn’t get involved in our lives. He said, “Imagine you have God on a shelf at home. Things are fine, but suddenly there’s a problem. You run home, grab Jesus and put Him in your pocket, close to your heart. Then you confront the problem you’re having.” I asked, “Then what?” With a smile, he clarified, “Then you put God back on the shelf!”

The Youth Ministries department, which organizes the New Jersey Conference into seven “zones,” recently held two compassion youth rallies. 

I believe we were called from the womb. We were even almost born at Camp Victory Lake (N.Y.) in Northeastern Conference,” says Patrick Graham (right), referring to himself and his identical twin brother, Paul, who have dedicated their lives to ministry. 

Ministry is often a family affair. These dynamic, dedicated family duos have dedicated their lives to working for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 

At age 15, Jose Cortes Jr., the North American Division’s associate ministerial director for evangelism, wanted to be a doctor—not a pastor. Being a wise father, José H. Cortés, Sr., who serves as president of the New Jersey Conference, encouraged his son to pursue his dream. But early one morning in Madrid, Spain, Cortes Jr. heard his heavenly Father’s call to become a pastor. “I believe that [my father’s] wonderful and exemplary ministry during his early years influenced and silently encouraged my call,” says Cortes Jr.